NMDA
noun
: a synthetic amino acid C5H9NO4 that binds selectively to a subset of glutamate receptors on neurons where the binding of glutamate results in the opening of calcium channels
Examples of NMDA in a Sentence
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Memantine Memantine works by preventing glutamate from attaching to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (binding site).
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Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 2025
Both the anesthetic and potential neuroprotective effects occur because xenon can bind to brain receptors called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 29 May 2025
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Ross Phan, Verywell Health, 12 Aug. 2025
Both the anesthetic and potential neuroprotective effects occur because xenon can bind to brain receptors called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors.
—Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“NMDA.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/NMDA. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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NMDA
noun
: a synthetic amino acid C5H9NO4 that binds selectively to a subset of glutamate receptors on neurons where the binding of glutamate results in the opening of calcium channels
called also N-methyl-D-aspartate
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